it comes to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it comes to mind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a thought or idea has occurred to you. Example: "When I think of summer, the phrase 'it comes to mind' often describes my feelings of nostalgia."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

When it comes to mind over matter, there are few to match him.

The Guardian - Sport

Say Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A, and Richard Wagner's famous description of it comes to mind.

The New York Times - Arts

I've returned to see it dozens of times since my childhood, and it comes to mind whenever I'm paddling or rowing on any river, lake or ocean.

The New York Times

It comes to mind as he sits in the sterile tranquillity of an office at Lehman College, where he has taught for more than 30 years.

The New York Times

One such bias is the availability heuristic, the tendency to estimate the frequency of a phenomenon by how easily it comes to mind.

The New York Times - Magazine

Take, for example, what psychologists call "availability," the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event by how readily it comes to mind.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Then it came to mind.

The New York Times

"It came to mind as Forrest and thingy were struggling".

The Guardian - Sport

It came to mind during the annual Bang on a Can festival, at Symphony Space.

The New Yorker

It came to mind yesterday, when two teams of scientists released papers that reached the same terrifying conclusion.

The New Yorker

And it came to mind when Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently got himself into a big mess.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase can be particularly effective when sharing a personal anecdote or a relevant piece of information that might not be immediately obvious but adds value to the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "it comes to mind" excessively in a single piece of writing. While the phrase is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, try to vary your expressions by using "it occurs to me" or "I think of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it comes to mind" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a thought, memory, or idea that is connected to the current topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it comes to mind" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that introduces related thoughts or memories. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Found predominantly in news and media contexts, its neutral register allows for versatility in both formal and informal writing. While effective, it's advisable to avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "it occurs to me" or "I think of" to maintain variety and reader engagement. Numerous examples in Ludwig showcase its effective use across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i think of

A simpler and more direct way to express that something enters one's thoughts.

it occurs to me

Focuses on the sudden realization or awareness of something.

it springs to mind

Suggests a more spontaneous and immediate appearance of something in one's thoughts.

i am thinking of

Expresses a current thought process or consideration.

i recall

Emphasizes the act of bringing something back into one's conscious memory.

i am reminded of

Highlights the triggering of a memory or association by something present.

i remember

A straightforward expression of recalling something.

it crosses my mind

Indicates a fleeting or transient thought.

i can't help thinking

Implies a persistent thought that is difficult to dismiss.

i envision

Focuses on creating a mental image or scene.

FAQs

How can I use "it comes to mind" in a sentence?

Use "it comes to mind" to introduce a thought or idea that is related to the topic at hand. For example, "When I think about summer vacations, the beach "it comes to mind" immediately".

What are some alternatives to "it comes to mind"?

You can use alternatives such as "it occurs to me", "I recall", or "I think of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it comes to mind" formal or informal?

"It comes to mind" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "it occurs to me" might be preferred in very formal writing.

How does "it comes to mind" differ from "it occurs to me"?

"It comes to mind" suggests that a thought is triggered by something, while "it occurs to me" suggests a sudden realization. They are similar, but "it occurs to me" implies a more spontaneous thought.